Sarsfield Barracks is the second facility to have a temporary mortuary erected on-site after the Royal Hospital Kilmainham facilitated a similar construction last week.

The Department of the Taoiseach and Department of Housing did not respond to requests for comment.

Government officials have been working with other agencies to identify potential sites where mortuaries can be erected for people who die as a result of Covid-19.

Senior Department of the Taoiseach official Liz Canavan said the "deeply sensitive issue" was being worked on.

Speaking last week at a press briefing, Ms Canavan said: "We are still, largely, in the preparation phase - getting the country ready and putting the necessary infrastructure in place, in particular the medical infrastructure, to deal with the surge when it comes.

"A group of senior officials from across Government and relevant agencies is working together on this and is guided and informed by the need for compassion and care for the families who will be affected," she added.

A self-isolation and step-down care facility at the Citywest Hotel and Conference Centre in Dublin also came into operation this week.